Mokgoro also announced that five other cases of officials implicated in wrongdoing have been sent to the relevant departments for them to institute disciplinary action against the officials. He says the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is at a very advanced stage with investigations into the Scholar Transport Contracts in the Province. OFM News previously reported that scholar transport waged a war with the department of education and among others threatened to not transport pupils to school following allegations of non-payment by the department. Mokgoro says the Hawks have assured them that very soon further progress will be recorded.

OFM News previously reported that the transport programme came under the spotlight in February 2019 when it was revealed that more than 8 000 learners in the province were without transport. This was despite the fact that the province had spent double what other provinces had, with over R374 million having been spent last year for transporting 37 000 school children. “Investigations into the Scholar Transport contracts, the Extended Public Works Programme as well as the Roads contracts have been included and covered in the already existing proclamations” Mokgoro said.

The Premier adds as part of their concerted efforts to clean up scholar transport, the provincial government has completed the verification and definition of the routes with accurate kilometres. He, however, says over and above that, they are moving with speed to adjust the payment system to be in line with the correct kilometres, going forward.

“In addition, during the course of the 6th Administration, the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management will have to look at means to set aside the current scholar transport tender, and replace it with a modernized, more efficient, more reliable and cost-effective system”

 “We are expecting a comprehensive report by the MEC responsible on this matter at the end of next month,” Mokgoro concludes.

OFM News